Senate Bill 4204 (S. 4204) was introduced by Senator Poindexter in 1920. The bill stated that “whoever with intent to obstruct, delay, hinder or prevent the movement of commodities in commerce with foreign nations or among the several states…shall be guilty of a felony or punished by a fine” (Hearing Before a Subcommittee on S. 4204, 1920, p. 4). S. 4204 would criminalize actions that prohibit the shipment of products, thereby disrupting commerce. The legislation ultimately sought to minimize workers strikes against unfair working conditions. Anti-labor politicians and organizations supported S. 4204. Many labor unions and workers worried about how the bill would affect their rights as laborers.

Miles Poindexter was a Republican Senator from Washington State from 1911-1923. He was recognized for his intense nationalism, demonstrated by his support for the Sedition Act, as well as his anti-anarchist/Bolshevik position. He worked to suppress opposition to America’s entry into World War I. Poindexter strongly opposed labor unions, often introducing legislation to prevent strikes, and favored business interests. He ran unsuccessfully for President in 1920. After losing his Senate seat in the 1922 election, Poindexter served as ambassador to Peru and authored several manuscripts on the Inca civilization. He died in 1946.